R.I.P. Alex Chilton

[Voltron]

Alex Chilton died yesterday at age 59 from an apparent heart attack. That's fucked up. I've been meaning to post this sad news ever since my wife called to tell me she heard it on the radio while she was driving to work. Great and influential musician. Also been meaning to play some Big Star and shit but I have been too busy to do anything fun today. Will have to toast him later, but for now here are the lyrics to The Replacements' Alex Chilton:

If he was from Venus, would he feed us with a spoon?

If he was from Mars, wouldn't that be cool?

Standing right on campus, would he stamp us in a file?

Hangin' down in Memphis all the while.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round

They sing "I'm in love. What's that song?

I'm in love with that song."

Cerebral rape and pillage in a village of his choice.

Invisible man who can sing in a visible voice.

Feeling like a hundred bucks, exchanging good lucks face to face.

Checkin' his stash by the trash at St. Mark's place.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round

They sing "I'm in love. What's that song?

I'm in love with that song."

I never travel far without a little Big Star

Runnin' 'round the house, Mickey Mouse and the Tarot cards.

Falling asleep with a flop-pop video on.

If he was from Venus, would he meet us on the moon?

If he died in Memphis, then that'd be cool, babe

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round

They sing "I'm in love. What's that song?

I'm in love with that song."

I'm in love. What's that song?

I'm in love with that song.

I'm in love. What's that song?

I'm in love with that song.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1wwko_the-replacements-alex-chilton_music

No, he didn't die in Memphis, but NOLA ain't a bad place to go out.

[jinp6301]

RIP

My senior year of high school and college freshman years revolved around listening to Big Star

[blessingx]

The 'Mats were my introduction to Chilton and Big Star. Have always been around since.

NPRs obit: The Late Alex Chilton, An Uncompromising Rocker : NPR

Edited March 19, 2010 by blessingx

[The Monkey]

Very sad news.

[agile_one]

R.I.P. Alex

[morphsci]

[Hopstretch]

Sad. He leaves a great legacy.

[Knuckledragger]

A friend of mine posted this to his Facebook page: Remembering Alex Chilton: An Underground 'Big Star' : NPR

"One last bit of remembrance: A couple short interviews with Chilton, from a number of years ago. Most interesting to me are his attitude about That 70s Show and how his lyrics were messed with and his feelings about the Box Tops's The Letter."

[Salt Peanuts]

RIP

[TomB]

That's a shame. The originator of power pop - gone.

I wish I hadn't been so ignorant growing up in Memphis in the '60's and '70's. Big Star to me was just the grocery store down the street.